Here's the fixed version.
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Sha Nagba Imuru
First Interlude
Of Gilgamesh, Micael, and a Dove
ôWhy, Gil,ö Micael says. ôYou have shot down a dove.ö
The boy sitting on the ground beside him looked up. They sit in the middle of the Forest, two days after the Sabbath. One of the boys is training, whilst the other simply watches, for his training is of a different nature.
It is over two thousand years before the Holy War and the Old Age of Mankind has but recently ended. The Advent of Micael has replaced it.
The blonde boyÆs name is Gilgamesh. HeÆll tell you that everyone calls him Gil, but that wouldnÆt be true. At best, only a large fraction of those who are Supernal, know enough about him to make a reference to him, and do not have cause to hate him call him that, plus a few scattered humans, and it specifically does not include Metatron.
That bastard calls him Bilgames, or so Adam tells him.
He takes a moment to fume about this, even though heÆs barely met him, and vows to kick his ass next time he does.
The other is also a man, or at least his incarnation is. He is Micael, the youngest of the Aspects of God. He has a human name as well, which in some years time will be far more famous than Micael, a name no mortal yet knows. Every human who learns of his actions will call him by that name for a long time yet, though Supernals often refer to him just as Micael. Again, there is one notable exception in the form of Lilith, who calls him Idiot.
Gil fumes about that too and resolves to kick her ass next time he sees her, though Micael doesnÆt care.
After heÆs done, he searches for the dove Micael speaks of and finds it in a moment, droplets of blood on its wing and more soaked into the Earth beneath it.
He must have hit it while training, he noted impassively, rising slowly even as Micael hurried to its side.
ôIt is still alive.ö Micael said.
ôI will kill it.ö Gil replies, walking over. ôAnd ease its suffering.ö
Gilgamesh crouches beside the bird and takes out his knife, but Micael stops him with a hand.
ôGil, have I not lived a thousand lives?ö He asked, and Gil knew he referred to his mortal soul, for Micael was very young. ôTen thousand? No, a hundred thousand yet?ö
Gil blinked in casual incomprehension.
ôSo Adam says.ö He replies anyway.
ôAnd Gil, have you not lived a thousand lives?ö Micael asked, referring to GilÆs mortal soul, for in the grand scheme of things, he was not so much older than Micael. ôTen thousand? No, a hundred thousand yet?ö
ôSo Adam says.ö He replies, though what he wanted to say was:
æI donÆt think Humanity has been around quite that longàÆ
ôAnd never once,ö Micael begins. ôIn all that time have you been like a dove? Small and frightful and awed by the powers of this world?ö
Gil denies it instantly.
ôI am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes.ö He says, as if that explained everything.
ôAnd never once,ö Micael continues. ôIn all that time have I been like a dove? Bloodied, dying, but beautiful? Struck down by things beyond my power to change or control?ö
There was meaning behind his words, but Gil did not yet see them, so he laughed instead.
ôYou are the Anointed One, Micael.ö He says. ôYou are a God of this World. You shall rule everything, when this is done. You transcend such powers; so Adam says.ö
Micael frowns.
ôPerhaps.ö He says.
Gil smiles.
ôPerhaps.ö He agrees.
Micael brushes the doveÆs feathers gently and they glowed with light. The bird thrashes, but soon subsides, and Gil could see the wound closing before his eyes.
Micael smiled happily.
ôItÆs healing.ö He said.
Gil sighs as he rises to his feet.
ôIt is a dove, Micael.ö He says. ôWe are as Gods to it.ö
ôOh?ö Micael seemed amused.
ôI am the destroyer.ö Gil said. ôA swift and terrible pain that strikes out of nowhere but means nothing. You are the savior, a swift and wonderful relief that strikes out of nowhere but means nothing. What point is there in your actions, Micael? It remains a dove.ö
Micael shrugs, a casual response given only to his friend, and answers.
ôThat is not for you or I to say.ö He says.
ôLet me take it aside, Micael.ö Gilgamesh requested, seeing no point in doing such things for a dove. ôI will take it from your life and you will never see it again.ö
ôOh, Gilgamesh.ö Micael says, picking up the dove. He cradles it to his chest and begins to walk through the forest.
Gil frowns at the use of his full name, not understanding it for Micael doesnÆt seem irritated, but he follows.
ôIt is only fair, Micael.ö Gil says. ôIt was I who shot it down. It should be I who decides its fate.ö
Micael smiles.
ôOh, Gilgamesh.ö He repeats.
XxXXxX
Micael is preoccupied with his dove. Gilgamesh, be frustration and annoyance. They wander from their path through the forest, and strayed onto paths known for their dangers.
Neither notice, but itÆs unlike they would have cared if they had.
ôIt is the nature of things, Micael.ö Gilgamesh argues. ôDoves are not for saving, they are for killing. They are small and frightful and awed by the powers of this world.ö
Micael shakes his head calmly.
Gilgamesh doesnÆt back down. It was a matter of pride now; that bird needed to die.
ôThey are weak. Prey. And as prey, they are made to be cut down. That is how the world works, Micael.ö
ôIt was I who first noticed it.ö Micael countered. ôAnd it was I who healed it. I saved it; is it not then mine?ö
There was movement and a lurking of shadows and from them skulked forth a Demon name Halphas.
ôIÆm inclined to agree with your more ruthless peer.ö The Demonic Armorer said.
Micael blinked, gazing at the new arrival in confusion.
ôAnd who might you be?ö He asked.
The Demon smirked, but was unknowingly compelled to respond.
ôI am a traveler,ö He said. ôFrom a place far from this mortal world. I make my way through this Realm, fearing for my life, lest some greater creature strike me down. I am a thief, taking what I wish, lest my hunger and weakness is the end of me. And I am a murderer of men and gods alike, taking lives as a small demon ought. I am Halphas, Count of Hell, and I search for the Son of God, so that I might take his life!ö
The duo was silent for a moment, as Micael tilted his head to the side and Gilgamesh gazed onwards with blank eyes.
ôI meet this news with some small consternation.ö Micael admitted, not sure how to react to that. Did he know who heÆd accosted?
Some might say he was fairly lucky to stumble across the one he was looking for.
And others, Micael thought as he glanced at Gilgamesh, would know better.
ôItÆs best to be resigned to such things.ö Halphas said. ôThis world is harsh and full of suffering; all things within it know pain. Such is the way of thingsö
Gil nodded in agreement at that and reached for his knife with the intention of making it harsher and fuller of suffering for one person in particular.
Micael laid a hand on his arm.
ôI know that you wish to deal with him, my friend,ö He said. ôBut he too is wounded and he too I wish to help.ö
ôLet me take him aside, Micael.ö Gilgamesh pleaded. ôI will take him from your life and you will never see him again.ö
Micael laughed.
ôOh, Gilgamesh.ö He says, smiling gently.
ôThis interaction puzzles me.ö The Count of Hell admits.
Gil sighs, resigned.
ôWho amongst us does not know fear?ö He asks, his demeanor changing abruptly. ôWho amongst us does not hunger? We are alike, you and I, travelling in a perilous world. Let us ally with each other then, Demon; walk with us to the edge of this forest. And if we should meet a greater killer, we will fight him at your side. If we do not, then kill us at the forestÆs edge. You will be all the safer.ö
Halphas the Count hesitates at the words of the King, but then he nods curtly and they travel on.
XxXXxX
ôIt is my thought,ö Micael says after some time. ôThat even in this dove lays the infinite spirit of Adam Kadmon and it is thus capable of unlimited accomplishments. That is why I have claimed it as my own, rather than allowed its life to be taken.ö
Gilgamesh gazed at him for a moment in silent contemplation before nodding.
ôVery well, my friend.ö He said, passion suddenly burning in his eyes. ôI will risk my life to test this theory in mortal combat. Man against dove; blade against beak. The power of its spirit will burst forth, unrestrained, and awe those who bear witness like the lightning and the thunder that follows it. Its battle aura shall ascend to the Heavens! And one will live and the other shall be his trophy, but which is which, I cannot say!ö
ôI should hate to lose my best friend,ö says Micael.
GilÆs mood immediately soured and he frowned at his friend, who simply closed his eyes and smiled teasingly.
ôHow cruel fate is.ö A new voice said, dripping with amusement. ôThat you should save your friend from death at the hand of a dove, only to lose him at the hands of Samigina!ö
The pairùand Halphas, who the pair had completely ignoredùturned towards the voice, which belonged to a man. He was well dressed, unfitting for someone wandering in the forest, but there didnÆt seem to be any dirt on him. From his complexion, he likely came from one of the nearby countries, though probably not the one they were currently in.
Micael raised an eyebrow.
ôYou are another demon, then?ö
And Samigina was compelled to speak.
ôôI am a traveler,ö He said. ôFrom a place far from this mortal world. I make my way through this Realm, fearing for my life, lest some greater creature strike me down. I am a thief, taking what I wish, lest my hunger and weakness is the end of me. And I am a terror of men and gods alike, taking lives as a medium demon ought. I am Samigina, Marquis of Hell, and I search for the Son of God, so that I might take his life!ö
Gilgamesh blinks slowly, before turning to his friend.
ôLet me take him aside, Micael.ö Gilgamesh tried, though he already knew the answer. ôI will take him from your life and you will never see him again.ö
Micael shook his head and Gilgamesh sighed.
Suddenly, an idea struck him and he turned to Halphas contemplatively.
ôPerhaps,ö He said to him. ôYou should engage he in battle. If you defeat her and devour his Existence, surely you will profit great, and we would be allowed to proceed unmolested.ö
ôI am a Count,ö Halphas replied. ôWhile he is a Marquis; he outmatches me.ö
Samigina smirked, making Halphas sulk.
Gilgamesh just sighed. He looked down to the Earth and up to the sky, as if he might find some answer in those places.
And then he spoke.
ôWho amongst us does not know fear?ö He asks, his demeanor changing abruptly. ôWho amongst us does not hunger? We are alike, you and I, travelling in a perilous world. Let us ally with each other then, Demon; walk with us to the edge of this forest. And if we should meet a greater killer, we will fight him at your side. If we do not, then kill us at the forestÆs edge. You will be all the safer.ö
His eyes turn slightly red as he speaks, catching SamiginaÆs own.
He hesitates and then nods.
ôThere are many who do not like Demons,ö He admits. ôShould I come across them, it would be convenient to have two hostages and Count at my side.ö
They continue on.
XxXXxX
Micael speaks again after pondering his response.
ôIt is better to heal than to destroy,ö He says firmly. ôTo, rather than casting out the soul, instead nurture it and carve from it perfection. Even this dove has the potential for perfection with in it, and that is why I claim it. You would destroy it, I would save itàSurely mine is the greater claim.ö
ôPerfection is not safety,ö Gilgamesh replies. ôEven good things may be hurt. And even good things may be weak. And even good things may be killed. Thisàis not right. But this is not wrong; it is simple a consequence. It is because ægoodÆ does not mean ævictorÆ and it does not mean æunbreakable.Æö
GilÆs thoughts drift to Sophia, but he shakes them away and continues.
ôThe Greatest King is not the Greatest Servant.ö He says, nodding at Micael and knowing heÆd understand that. ôJust as the Greatest Woman is not the Greatest Man. The Greatest Dove is not a Gate of Atziluth and I dare say it would fly no better if it were.ö
ôSurely, Halphas, you would side with me?ö Micael tries, glancing back at the demon, who had been quiet since the arrival of the Marquis.
He probably didnÆt wish to draw attention to himself, but he replied to MicaelÆs question anyway.
ôA dove is weak,ö He said. ôAnd therefore prey. It was simply born that way. If it has been shot down, then it meat.ö
This was the code the DemonÆs lived by.
ôSamigina,ö Micael tries again. ôWould you not side with me?ö
The Marquis looked at him impassively.
ôWould you judge a sculptor by the stone?ö He asked. ôHe works with but work alone. What does it matter what lay within the dove or the stone before one sets to work? Whether it is nurtured or stolen, nothing in this world is perfect and beauty fades with time. What does it matter, then; the life of this dove?ö
Micael frowned, faintly.
They near the edge of the woods, but there is someone waiting there. He is a man and not a man; a Demon in human form like those behind them. But he is not like the others and his eyes burn with a terrible fire.
At the sight of him, Halphas and Samigina change completely, and the pair of Demons begins to cower behind the friends. Halphas is cursing quietly and Samigina staring in silent fear.
A compulsion is all it takes to learn why.
ôI am Asmodeus, Prince of Hell.ö The man stated with a smirk. ôI am an Archdemon and I stand with few equals in all the world!ö
ôAh, wonderful.ö Micael replied, smiling gently at his æbrother.Æ ôPerhaps you can help us resolve a dilemma.ö
Asmodeus pauses, not expecting such a reply. He tilts his head to one side, frowning in confusion.
ôPerhaps.ö He says, after a moment.
ôIt is the dove.ö Micael says, holding up the small creature. ôMy friend says that it belongs to him, for he shot it down. I say that it is mine, for I wish to heal it. Is it the destroyer or savior who has the greater claim?ö
ôYou are both fools,ö Asmodeus replies immediately. ôTo claim ownership of something you have hurt.ö
However, he then turns to Gilgamesh, and speaks.
ôTo claim what you hurt is not truly destruction,ö Says the one who owns Destruction. ôDestruction is like the fire and the wind, sweeping through and claiming nothing and leaving nothing but silence behind. To claim ownership goes against its purpose; the simple intention betrays the act.ö
ôAh,ö Says Micael, smiling.
GilÆs eyebrow twitched.
ôIs he smug because an Archdemon Prince agrees with him,ö Gil muttered. ôWhile my demons are merely a minor Count and a Marquis?ö
He lifts his voice.
ôLet me take him aside, my friend! I will take him from your life and you will never see him again and we can take another vote!ö
ôStay your hand, Gilgamesh.ö Micael pleaded.
Asmodeus hesitates.
ôWould that be Gilgamesh, the King, Bane of Lilith the Supreme and who has defeated her seven times?ö He asked carefully.
The two demons behind the friends suddenly backed the hell up, staring at the pair in fear.
ôEight times.ö Gilgamesh corrected.
Asmodeus hesitates.
ôWould that be Gilgamesh, the King, Bane of Lilith the Supreme and who has defeated her eight times? Perhaps, due to events beyond my knowledge, recently increased from seven?ö
ôYes,ö Micael said.
ôOh.ö Asmodeus replied.
End of Interlude
XxXXxX
Aftermath
It was not in GilgameshÆs nature. He was not one for subtlety and he was even less for the means he was currently using.
He was not one to shroud himself in darkness and shadow and ghost through the crowd; he would shine like the sun and the crowds would part before him! Why should he need to resort to slipping through unnoticed and hide his approach with his power? He was Awe and Glory and Pride!
It was not like him to do a thing such as this; to wrap himself in illusions and create a Boundary between Illusion and Reality.
It was not that he was incapable, but he chose not to use such means.
Yes, it was not like him.
It was not something he would normally do.
It was something heÆd have to swallow his pride to do.
Even so, he walked through the crowds, hidden from sight. The people drifted around him, even bumping into him, but also never noticing him.
He wondered why he didnÆt just shift his location in Space; if he was going against his nature, at least that way would be faster.
But he knew why. He was walking through the crowds for the same reason he was using his powers.
Today was the day a dear friend of his suffered.
And these people had watched. Had been happy to see Micael in pain.
He thought about opening his Reality Script. It wouldnÆt be hard to kill all of them; it would be over in minutes, even if he took his time. He could hunt down everyone involved and send them screaming back to Adam Kadmon and steal Micael away and put an end to this here and now.
He didnÆt.
Instead, he looked around as he walked. He looked at the faces and the eyes of the crowd and at the emotions there in and stayed his hand.
He halted in his track suddenly as his eyes met anotherÆs, and for a moment his resolve wavered.
He and the woman traded glares at a distance. He could tell what he was thinking, but he thought about killing her. And those thoughts led back to opening his Script. And if the city was leveled in the processà
Suddenly, the temptation was a lot harder to resist.
He did so anyway. He looked away first, deciding to ignore her.
He wouldnÆt fight today; not over old grudges.
Besides, he had more important things to do.
So when Lilith seemed to fade into the crowd, he did not follow her. He knew she was still there and he knew she would probably stay until the end, but on this day, there was only one thing that mattered, and it was not that pitiful old hag.
He continued on.
HeÆd taken his time, because a large part of him didnÆt want to reach his destination, but heÆd reached it anyway.
He glanced up at his friend and then glanced back down to the ground, overtaken by unpleasant emotions.
The Boundary between Illusion and Reality expanded, covering them both. No one would hear them or notice something wrong.
ôBloodied, dying, but beautiful, huh?ö He muttered, remembering something from long ago.
He hadnÆt really expected a response, but Micael gave him a tired, pained smile.
ôStruck down by things beyond my power to change or control.ö He agreed.
Anger filled Gil in that moment.
ôTo hell itÆs beyond your power!ö He snarled.
ôYou know why IÆm doing this.ö Micael said. ôYou know why I have to do this.ö
ôYou donÆt have to do anything, Micael.ö Gil disagreed. ôGive the word, Micael, and IÆll take you down from there! IÆll make this place like a desert and overthrow itÆs cities if thatÆs what you wish! IÆll hunt down everyone involved if you ask me too!ö
There was only one response and Gilgamesh knew it. HeÆd known it even before heÆd asked; he knew how this entire conversation would go before heÆd even started it. But heÆd asked anyway.
MicaelÆs response was as inevitable as his death, but it came far quicker.
ôStay your hand, Gilgamesh.ö Micael pleaded.
Gil snarled and kicked the ground angrily.
The friends were silent for a moment, before Micael spoke.
ôWould you really throw the entire plan away now?ö He wondered, and there was nothing but curiosity in his voice.
ôYou have as much right to live and anyone else, Micael.ö Gil replied. ôThis planàour planàit means a lot to me and even more to him. But if you did not wish to die, he would not stop me from saving you and I would not hesitate.ö
MicaelÆs smile widened.
ôI am glad.ö He said. ôDespite everything and despite this, I am really, extremely happy to have been born into this world. IÆm glad to have met Adam, I am glad to have met Lilith, IÆm glad to have met all the people I have, andàIÆm really glad that you and I met, Gilgamesh. Thank you.ö
Gilgamesh glanced away and nodded.
ôMe, too.ö He said.
Micael was silent and that silence dragged forth words from him.
ôI, too, amàreally happy that we became friends, Micael.ö
He looked his friend in the eye and let him see the conviction there.
ôDo you want me to stay until the end?ö He æoffered,Æ though heÆd already sat down and had no intention to leave.
He didnÆt like using his powers like this.
But he would use them any way, just for a few days.
They were, after all, friends.